Lionel Messi scores his first goal, and PSG offers a prestige victory against Manchester City

For him, this is the first goal of the rest of his life.This goal, Lionel Messi has already scored it.It is a facsimile of so many others.Almost when stopped and indifferent to the events, he leaves on his right side, changes his rhythm brutally, dribble, rests on a partner (Kylian Mbappé) before winning a surgical strike from his left foot (pleonasm). Sauf que ce but sera à jamais le premier sous le maillot du Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) avec ce n^o 30 qui fait un peu remplaçant de bout du banc.

L’histoire retiendra donc que la première émotion entre le Parc des Princes et son inattendue recrue de l’été a été enregistrée mardi 28 septembre 2021 à la 74^e minute lors de la deuxième journée de la Ligue des champions contre le Manchester City de Pep Guardiola.At 2-0, Messi folds a meeting then far from being in the bag for his team.The moment flirts a little with the unreal when the "thank you messi" go from the stands.

At 34 years old and after two decades in Barcelona, Leo Messi is indeed a PSG player.We don't pinch ourselves.The honeymoon can start after timid start between a late arrival and a victory in Copa America to digest."If he is happy in Paris, I would be happy for him, because he made me very happy in Barcelona," Guardiola said at a press conference about the new life of his old protégé.

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For Paris, this victory is good.This is the whole paradox of a club like no other, being under fire of criticism despite a faultless journey in the championship (eight victories in eight games).But behind the perfect accounting assessment pierced the inadequacies, the concerns, the moods of some (Mbappé calling "tramp" Neymar for a pass not given against Montpellier) or this diffuse impression of a team that does not really know who it should be, like this almost happy draw brought back from Bruges (1-1) two weeks earlier, in this same Champions League.

Guardiola « amoureux»» de Verratti

Faced with Manchester City, the question does not arise.The opponent knows that the Citizens are not sharing with the ball and force to defend a lot and live as best they can of a few counters.PSG painfully experienced it during its elimination in the semi-finals last season.This time, the players of Mauricio Pochettino folded again, but without breaking.Call it resilience, realism or talent."We knew how to suffer during difficult times, when we were gathered in front of our goal.We also knew how to play football when we attacked, "said the Parisian coach.

Yes, the Argentinian prefers when his team "has more mastery of the ball", but against a "team with so many automation", you have to know how to adapt and respond already collectively.At this level his players showed character.

A man embodied this combat Paris: Idrissa Gueye. Le Sénégalais a donné le ton en nettoyant la lucarne d’Ederson dès la 7^e minute à la réception d’un centre de Mbappé caviardé par Neymar.But that's not all.Aggressive in duels, he recovered balloons, clogs clogged and allowed Marco Verratti to evolve in a certain comfort.

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At 28, the Italian will not be repeated after yet another muscle glitch.When he is not prevented by an injury or a suspension, the midfielder fluidifies the game of his team.It's always the same story for nine years with him.We are still surprised to see him dribble three opponents in a large space like a telephone booth or her modesty of Gazelle when approaching opposing goals.But his evening performance was huge.What to provoke a love at first sight at Pep Guardiola: “I am in love with him.He is able to do everything, the way he moves, finds players in small spaces.It is exceptional.»»

Decisive and revanchard Donnarumma

But the emotion of Messi's first goal and so many praise should not forget that Manchester has had the best opportunities.The Mancunians especially had the wrong to make Gianluigi Donnarumma shine. On dit que la chance accompagne les grands gardiens, alors le champion d’Europe italien est un très grand gardien, à l’image de cette action de la 25^e minute.From the head, Raheem Sterling finds the transverse bar, Bernardo Silva is rebound but strikes on the bar in turn.

For the rest, the defector of AC Milan was brilliant and determining on five Mancunian actions. A 22 ans, le garçon a déjà son caractère et a répondu à la presse italienne, qui spécule sur son spleen supposé de n^o 1 bis ou de remplaçant derrière Kaylor Navas (à ce sujet seul Mauricio Pochettino connaît vraiment la hiérarchie entre les deux hommes)."Critics about my choice to come to Paris?I just want to laugh.I am happy at PSG and I laugh when I read all these nonsense on me, he commented at the microphone of Sky Sport Italia.It’s amazing to play with all these champions.»»

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Amazing perhaps, but a prestige victory in the group phase is not enough to decree that PSG has found a collective balance, that Messi, Neymar and Mbappé are closed eyes and that Mauricio Pocsettino really knows where he's going.But let him savor this success and the first goal of his famous compatriot: "I saw Leo scoring it from the bench opposite, so for once I was on the right bench, I could celebrate.»» Et tout le Parc des Princes avec lui.

Alexandre Pedro

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